CBS Atlanta 46AAA: DUIs charged to women jumps 36% in 2010

According to Federal Bureau of Investigation, while men received more DUI's than women in 2010, the number of men charged dropped ten percent.

The majority of consumers, 66%, think men are more likely to get charged with a DUI than a woman, according to AAA's survey.

The study shows more women in the United States are making the decision to get behind the wheel when intoxicated. This is shown by the increasing number of DUIs charged to females.

In 2010, the number of women who received a DUI increased 36 percent, while the number of men charged decreased by 10 percent.

Click here to read the full AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey.

You may be wondering, why the rise in women driving while intoxicated?

Experts involved in the study suggest there is a greater social acceptance of women drinking, and more venues cater to women's only happy hours.

While nearly four out of five consumers, 79%, think it is more socially acceptable for women to drink now than compared to 20 years ago, 30 percent of consumers do not think women process alcohol differently than men, shows data from AAA's Consumer Pulse survey.

"Simple planning before you head out for a good time can greatly reduce the chances you will end up behind the wheel of a vehicle when it may not be safe for you to drive," said Joanna Newton, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "This will help to ensure you, and everyone else on the roadways, makes it home safely to family and friends."

The AAA survey was conducted online among residents living in the Southern Region of The Auto Club Group (Florida, Georgia and Tennessee) from October 12 – 15, 2011.

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